Refining and purification of hydrocarbon oils



VII

Patented Aug. 1, 1933.

REFINING AND PURIFICATION OF HYDRO- CARBON OILS Jacque C. Morrell, Chicago, 111., assignor to Universal Oil Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a Corporation of South Dakota No Drawing. Original application March 25,

1926, Serial No. 97,461. Divided and this application January 9, 1931. Serial No. 507,764

5 Claims.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 97,461, filed March 25, 1926, now Patent No. 1,799,431.

This invention relates to improvements in refining and purification of hydrocarbon oils, and

refers more particularly to the desulphurization of hydrocarbon oils for the purpose of providing a product which is substantially free of refractory sulphur compounds.

The present invention contemplates the refining and purification of hydrocarbon oil of any gravity from a crude hydrocarbon of low gravity up to and including a motor fuel of higher gravity. More specifically, the invention is peculiarly applicable to the desulphurization of cracked distillates. Hydrocarbon oils, particularly the overhead condensed products sold commercially and produced in cracking operations sometimes c0ntain an objectionable amount of refractory sulphur compounds which are not removable from the oil by the usual refining agents such as suiphuric acid, caustic soda, litharge in caustic soda, filter earth and the like.

I have found that the alkyl-disulphides, and analogous sulphur compounds, present in oils may be converted into compounds which can be removed by subsequent subjection to treatment with the usual refining agents.

More specifically, I have found that when oil containing these objectionable and refractory sulphur compounds is treated in the presence of a finely divided metal and hydrogen chloride, that these compounds are converted into com-- pounds such as hydrogen sulphide and the mercaptans which can be subsequently treated so as to reduce the total sulphur content of the resulting product.

I have further found that among the metals which can be used may be listed zinc, tin, iron or metal having analogous characteristics.

Either the metal or the acid can be introduced into the oil initially followed by the other, or they may be introduced simultaneously. The oil body into which the refining agents of the present invention have been introduced, is preferably heated since it has been found that the reaction proceeds at a much greater rate under heat than in the cold. It is further to be noted that in some instances, the oil body containing these refining agents may be agitated for the purpose of securing a more complete intermingling of the various constituents. It is also preferable that the oil being treated under heat, is preferably refluxed or distilled with the refining agents for the purpose of extending the period of reaction by preventing the more volatile components from leaving the system.

The following proportions may be given as illustrative, it being understood that they may vary within Wide limits and not depart from the scope of the invention:

From 1 to 2% hydrogen chloride and 1 to 2% of metal based on the volume of oil being treated. It will be found that the reaction taking place in the oil due to the introduction of the reagents of the present invention will convert the refractory sulphur compounds, particularly the disulphides, into compounds which can be subsequently easily treated with the usual refining agents such as plumbite solutions.

The de'sulphurizationas described above, may constitute the sole refining action on the oil, or it may constitute but a step in a series of various refining methods.

It may be preceded by theusual distillation.

I claim as my invention: 1. A process for purifying gasoline-containing distillates which comprises treating the distillate 'at elevated temperature and while maintained substantially in liquid phase with hydrogen chloride in the presence of added metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin and iron.

2. A process for purifying cracked gasoline distillate which comprises treating the distillate at elevated temperature and while maintained substantially in liquid phase with hydrogen chloride in the presence of zinc.

3. A process for purifying gasoline-containing distillates which comprisestreating such distillate at a temperature of at least its normal boiling point with hydrogen chloride in the presence of added metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin and iron while maintaining the distillate substantially in liquid phase.

4. A process for purifying gasoline-containing distillates which comprises treating such distillate at elevated temperature with hydrogen chloride in the presence of zinc while maintaining the distillate substantially in liquid phase.

5. A process for purifying gasoline-containing distillates which comprises contacting such distillate substantially in liquid form simultaneously with hydrogen chloride and zinc at a temperature of at least the normal boiling point of the distillate.

J ACQUE C. MORRELL. 

